Blossompaw's Escape

Part Two: The Mission

Blossompaw and Chance hovered on the outskirts of the city so they could formulate a plan to rescue Flint and had to look believable, otherwise Shane and his cronies would suspect a trap.

"Shane won't want me since I'm a she cat, he only took Shiver because Flint would have fought for her," Blossompaw murmured. She glanced nervously around her as if spies were listening to their conversation.

"Shane would like to have me as a guard I'm sure, but there's no way he'd trust me if I just waltzed up to him and asked to serve," Chance said.

"You're right, volunteering is too suspicious. Unless of course you pledge your services for something in return..."

"I've got it!" Chance barked. He quickly lowered his voice and Blossompaw leaned in to hear.

"You'll have to hide out in the forest for a few days, and I know you hate being on the sidelines but I don't want you involved in this. I'll go back into the city and frantically 'search' for you. I'll go to Shane and say that you've been taken by Niko. I'll make a bargain, I serve him and he gets you back for me. This is plausible and he'll let me into his inner ranks. I'll find out where their prison is and rescue Flint and Shiver."

Blossompaw frowned, she definitely didn't want to let Chance do everything himself while she went half mad with wondering, but it was the best plan they had so far.

"I have to do something to help out,"

"Letting me handle this alone is helping out, trust me. Now go, the sooner we get this done the better," Chance said and turned to head back into the city.

"Wait! What if I disguise myself with mud so my white fur in unrecognizable, I promise I won't get involved but I could still hide in the city and watch to make sure nothing goes wrong," Blossompaw looked at Chance hopefully, if he said no then that was that. She couldn't wait to rescue Flint and Shiver for too long otherwise something else might happen.

"Fine - try to find out more about Niko if you can," Chance conceded. Blossompaw buried her nose in his fur and whispered and quick goodbye before the pair split up. Chance disappeared quickly into the maze of alleyway's and thunderpaths. The white furred apprentice meanwhile located a pile of mud and rolled in it until she was coated head to toe. She wrinkled her nose at the fowl smell emitting from her once glossy coat, but at least no one would recognize her as the dogs friend.

"Ashstar those two mousebrains better be worth it," she grumbled and looked up towards the sky, the first stars of silverpelt glimmering through the red and orange clouds.

Blossompaw roamed the city, keeping to the shadows and hiding the second she saw another loner. After wandering all night and much of the next morning she saw a discernible marker. It was like the city was cut in half - she cats on one side and males on the other. She had crossed over to the North end, Niko's terf. Since she was a she cat she didn't have much to be worried about, she fit right in. But it was best not to draw to much attention to herself when asking about the boss.

Blossompaw froze as a gray tabby walked past her. The tabby didn't even glance up. Blossompaw forced her fur to lie flat she was getting paranoid.

"Hey!" she called out to the tabby.

"Do I know you?" the other cat asked and walked back over to Blossompaw.

"My name is, uh, Mylph!" Blossompaw blurted, remembering the small kit from the testing facility. The gray tabby blinked.

"You've got the wrong cat, sorry. I don't know any Mylphs."

"No I don't know you either. I mean I'm new to the city, I'm kind of lost," Blossompaw said, only partly lying.

"Well lucky for you you're in the North side, Niko and her fela will protect you from any obnoxious toms here. I'm Cookie, by the way,"

"Niko you said?" Blossompaw prompted.

"Boy you are new if you haven't heard of Niko yet," Cookie smirked.

"I've heard of her...I'm just curious is all," she shrugged, trying to look like she wasn't just gathering information.

"Well the story goes that Niko and Shane, he's the South end boss, used to be mates. Wild, isn't it? Anyway they got in a huge fight, which is odd because they had been really close. Niko took the two she cats of their litter and Shane got the two toms. They went to opposite ends of the city and laid their claim to the territory. Shane and Niko were always both strategic and charismatic. They worked their angle and both rallied forces, but as long as they leave each other alone the city streets are at peace,"

"I heard Niko went down to the South side of the city, what was that about?" Blossompaw asked, recalling the strangness of the cream furred cat.

"Well whenever a newbie like yourself moves into the city Niko or Shane recruit them, Niko always taking the femals and Shane taking the males. It's never been a problem, why wouldn't you join the side offering you food and asylum? But these two siblings apparently didn't want to be separated so Shane took them both. Niko got wind of it and wants the she cat,"

"Where is Shane keeping the siblings?" Blossompaw asked eagerly. Cookie glanced at her and Blossompaw quickly resorted back to her nonchalant face.

"If Niko knew she'd have gotten the she cat by now. Shane keeps his prisoners in a very secure location, probably in one of the abandoned buildings. What's with all the questions anyways?"

"Just curious is all. Thanks for your time," Blossompaw nodded and hurried away. Cookie called after her, "By the way you should really groom your fur! You smell like carrion!"

Blossompaw hurried towards the south and north border, she had to contact Chance and tell him about what she learned. Shiver and Flint could be in any number of buildings, but it narrowed the search a little bit. However she couldn't cross into North territory, it would be a dead giveaway and if Chance got caught it would be all her fault. She had to trust he knew what he was doing.